Should I go to Carnegie Mellon?

<p>Okay so I am really stressing about which college to enroll to and it's getting down to the wire! I find it really strange that I was accepted into MCS for Mathematical sciences with my stats because I only got a 660 on the math section of the SAT, I never took SAT II subject test which I thought was required, and i didn't pass my AP exams and i think they saw the scores but i'm not sure. Also they are offering me full tuition ($44,000) with an undergraduate grant! And to keep the scholarship I would have to maintain either a 2.0 or 3.0 gpa -__- (which seems fine?) I just feel like it's somehow my destiny to go to this school because of the aid and luck of getting accepted. My main issue with this school is the fact that I'm not strong enough academically to keep up with the work because I understand that people who are a lot smarter than me already have a hard enough time so I don't want to be completely lost and then get depressed or something and be a failure. I don't feel like I'm prepared but this is such a great opportunity that I was lucky to get so I'm so confused. Another college that I'm looking at is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities which seems to fit me better because it is still well ranked and good for math, and I can major in Statistics, Math, or Actuarial Science (for CMU i am only limited to Math as a major), it has many more study abroad opportunities, it isn't as stressful/intense as CMU but is still challenging (seemingly), and social life is better. I haven't received word about financial aid yet but even without it the costs are still low ($25,000 each year for tuition+r&b). I believe that I am an average student but I feel like there's some invisible force pushing me towards CMU which is really risky to me. HELP ME!!</p>

<p>The gpa requirement is only for scholarships so I guess that I can have any gpa and still recieve the grant since it is need based (my EFC= 9,727)</p>

<p>I think you should not think about fate and choose the college that you envision you will have the most fun at, while being challenged academically. Both college are great and you just need to figure out the right fit. Use your head first, then follow your gut.
Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thanks and I know, I didn’t mean to sound so spiritual or whatever. I’m just wondering how CMU is for current students and whether or not a student like me would fit there based on a few of my stats and interests.</p>

<p>I really think that you should consider going to CMU.
CMU is one of the top school in the world and I don’t think you were “lucky” that you were accepted. The admission process is not determined solely by luck. They definitely saw potential in you.
Hope you choose CMU!</p>

<p>It’s not true that “for CMU i am only limited to Math as a major”. You may be admitted as ‘MCS General’ or ‘Mathematical Sciences’, but you are free to transfer into whichever program you want. Most programs just allow you in so long as they have space. Certain programs may have some more requirements, for instance, SCS seems to require A’s in their intro-level classes. And just so that you know, we have an awesome statistics department (different from the math department) which has been ranked much higher than UMN by USNews (#9 nationally).</p>

<p>@jellycat Yeah I know and I want to transfer to the Dietrich college of SS&H but wont i have to apply and be admitted there for sophomore year? @frodoissmart your post gave me a little more hope, i’m just psyching myself out!</p>

<p>Transferring MCS to DC won’t be as difficult as transferring into SCS. So with that said, I think you will be able to do whatever you want at CMU (of course, academically speaking.)
Go Tartans!</p>

<p>So i decided on Carnegie Mellon. Class of 2017!!!</p>

<p>Congrats!</p>

<p>For advice, I’d almost definitely take some calculus courses at a local community college or high school as soon as possible due to your low math scores. Placement tests are over the summer and if you don’t do well on calculus you’ll have to stay an extra semester and not graduate with the rest of your class. </p>

<p>Otherwise, welcome to CMU, and hope to see you there come August :)</p>